Early Life and Education
Roger Marcellus Bobb was born in London to Guyanese parents and moved to Brooklyn as a child. He studied at Brooklyn College and the School of Visual Arts before being accepted into the Directors Guild of America’s Assistant Director Trainee Program in 1995. This gave him on-set experience with directors like Mike Nichols and Woody Allen and helped him become one of the youngest African-American first assistant directors in the guild.
Career with Tyler Perry Studios
Bobb’s big break came when he joined Tyler Perry Studios in the mid-2000s. Rising to Executive Vice President, he played a key role in producing Perry’s most successful films and television series. These included hits like “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” “Madea’s Family Reunion,” and “Madea’s Big Happy Family.” On the TV side, Bobb served as supervising producer of “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” both of which were massive successes on cable. His work earned him several NAACP Image Awards and solidified his reputation as one of the top producers in Black entertainment.
Founding Bobbcat Films
In 2011, Bobb left Tyler Perry Studios to launch Bobbcat Films, an independent production company based in Atlanta. Under his leadership, the company has produced movies and television shows for networks such as BET, TV One, OWN, and Bounce TV. These include titles like “Raising Izzie,” “In the Meantime,” “Girlfriends’ Getaway,” and the sitcom “Last Call.” His independent projects continue to spotlight African-American experiences while allowing Bobb greater creative freedom as both a producer and director.
Awards and Recognition
Roger M. Bobb has received six NAACP Image Awards and is the only two-time winner of the Best Film award at the American Black Film Festival. His contributions have been recognized by publications like The Network Journal, which named him one of its “Top 40 Executives Under 40.” His achievements have also been profiled in Black Enterprise and Essence, further affirming his influence in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life
Bobb was previously engaged to actress and singer Demetria McKinney, whom he met during the production of “House of Payne.” Their relationship became a subplot on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” before they publicly confirmed their breakup in 2016. Bobb now lives in Atlanta and continues to lead Bobbcat Films while mentoring aspiring filmmakers and contributing to the city’s growing film and television scene.
